Revived classics or modern relics?

3 weeks ago

Sometimes there's a fine line between retro and just plain old-fashioned, and when it comes to sneakers, that line is sometimes blurry. In this article we look at the New Balance 574 and 327 models and ask the important question: are they revived classics or modern relics?

For many people, fashion begins on the floor – or more specifically, on the feet. Sneakers are the first choice of footwear for millions of people around the world, including celebrities like Jamie Cullum and DJ Khaled, who reportedly owns a whopping 10,000 pairs! Offers a sweet combination of style and comfort 1.2 billion pairs Sneakers are sold worldwide every year.

A sporting opportunity leads to a fashion opportunity

Sneakers first came onto the scene in 1876 when the New Liverpool Rubber Company began producing rubber-soled shoes known as beach shoes, plimsolls, or tennis shoes. As these names suggest, the shoes were designed for sports and leisure activities that required comfortable shoes that would not break easily.

In 1887, an article in the Boston Journal of Education referred to these shoes as “sneakers” because children who wore these shoes enjoyed sneaking up on their teachers without being heard due to the shoes' soft soles.

From gold medals to gold star fashion status

In the early 1920s, manufacturers around the world began experimenting with different styles and fabrics for their sneakers and popularity began to grow. The sneaker's place on the fashion front was firmly cemented in 1936 when athlete Jesse Owens won the Berlin Olympics wearing a pair of Dassler Brothers sneakers.

New Balance takes the sneaker sector to a new level

From humble beginnings, the sneaker quickly became a must-have, with new brands popping up around the world. In 1906, a new brand entered the Boston, Massachusetts sneaker scene that would change the face – or feet – of the industry. New balance was founded by Irish immigrant William J. Riley, who wanted to create shoes that would provide better balance by improving arch support (see what he did there).

Style and support come into play

As unlikely as it may seem, William J. Riley's shoe design was inspired by his chickens. It is said that after noticing that the chickens would walk on their three toes with perfect balance, he decided to develop shoes with a three-support design. Although New Balance shoes were primarily designed for factory workers who spent hours on their feet, athletes soon began demanding their own New Balance shoes starting in 1972 New balance was a major leader in the sneaker world.

Today, New Balance, led by CEO Joe Preston, employs 8,000 people around the world and has net sales of $5.3 billion.

New Balance 574 and 327: Revived classics or modern relics?

There are tons of New Balance styles and colors to choose from these days, and while some people prefer the very latest models, others prefer a retro look. But when does retro become too outdated? In this section we'll look at two popular sneakers from the New Balance range – the 574 and the 327.

The 574th

First introduced in 1988, the New Balance 574 was an instant hit with its chunky style and massive N logo on the side. The 574 is available in men's, women's and unisex styles and is offered in a range of colors. The shoe features lightweight EVA foam padding and is traditionally presented with a suede and mesh upper. However, New Balance has now also launched a vegan version of this popular sneaker.

While some people think the chunky style has had its day, others celebrate the 574's retro charm, so let's look at some of the pros and cons:

The professionals

We'll start with the things that are great about the New Balance 574 and they are:

Classic silhouette – If it's important to you that your shoes are instantly recognizable as NB classics, you can't do better than the 574 with its iconic silhouette.
Affordable – Compared to many other trainers on the market, the NB 574 is in the reasonable price range.
Real suede – In a time where “faux” is everywhere, the NB 574 refreshingly features real suede for a luxurious look.
durability – The New Balance 574’s super chunky sole makes it incredibly durable and long-lasting – meaning you get more for your money.
Super supportive – When you think about the ethos of New Balance sneakers, it's no surprise that these shoes offer unrivaled support, making them ideal for sports and running.
Everyday clothing – The 574 is not only durable and supportive enough for athletics, but its aesthetics also make it suitable for a shopping trip or a walk in the park.
Wide feet – Unlike many sneakers, the New Balance 574 is suitable for people with wide feet.
Color options – The 574 is available in a wide range of colors for people who like to make a fashion statement with their sneakers.

The disadvantages

So we've listed some pretty impressive benefits for the 574 – sounds great, right? However, this shoe may not be for everyone, so in this section we'll look at some of the disadvantages:

Breathability – Unfortunately, if you wear your 574 in hot weather or do a fair amount of exercise, you may have to live with sweaty feet as the breathability of these shoes isn't great – in fact, there are no visible ventilation holes in the design at all. However, this shouldn't be a significant problem if you're using your 574s for light/everyday use.
Stiff platform – The platform of the 574 is quite stiff and unforgiving, which can put strain on your feet when worn for long periods of time.
Tongue – The tongue of the shoe tends to shift a little, which is a minor annoyance but not a major problem.

The 327th

Now it's time to take a look at the New Balance 327 and reveal a few advantages and disadvantages. First introduced in 2020, the shoe's popularity led to many new color options being quickly added and remains a favorite among fans of NB classics.

The professionals

Sporty – These shoes have an undeniably sporty style that is popular with many die-hard classic sneaker fans.
damping – Very important to most sneaker wearers, the 327 offers excellent cushioning for superior comfort.
Light – Unlike other clunky and heavy sneakers, the 327 feels wonderfully light and is therefore ideal for sports and athletic activities.
Grippy – Another offering for sports fans: the New Balance 327s have fantastic grip, making them suitable for most surfaces and terrain.
Breathability – Unlike the 574, the NB 327 stands out for its breathability – most likely due to technological advances since the 574's introduction.
Stable platform – The stable platform of the 327 makes it comfortable and suitable for driving.
Affordable – At around £100, the New Balance 327 offers good value for money.

The disadvantages

There are a few negative things to say about the 327 – but we'll say them anyway and here they are:

stiffness – Like its big brother 574, the 327's sole tends to be a bit stiff and stiff, so it may not be ideal for long-distance or endurance sports and activities.
Cozy – The fit of the 327 is a bit tight and therefore not suitable for wide feet.

The big question

We started this article with the question – New Balance 574 and 327: Revived Classics or Modern Relics – so let’s dive in:

The 574th

We've discussed some of the great – and not so great – things about the New Balance 574, but bottom line: revived classic or modern relic?

There's no doubt that the New Balance 574 still looks pretty cool, and if you're looking for a sneaker that's just a fashion statement, then you might have found just the thing with this enduringly cool shoe. Unfortunately, if you're looking for a sneaker to boost your performance on the track, it's best left on the shelf. Lack of breathability and the stiffness of the sole make the 574, no matter how good it looks, less suitable for sports.

The conclusion – A revived classic, as long as you don't wear it while running a marathon.

The 327th

The New Balance 327 takes its good looks from its big brother, the 574, but is also a new generation in every way. The 327 not only has a pretty face, it is also characterized by great flexibility and stability in its design. This is important because it means that not only is it a great looking everyday shoe, but it also has the performance and durability to be a really good sneaker for running and sports.

The conclusion – Overall, a revived classic – and one that we believe will go on forever.